Catalyst Newsletter: December

December 2022 Newsletter

Disconnect: An Impact Story

Why are some patients not accessing dental care? Providers’ assumptions and patients’ reasons may not align, according to the latest Impact Story, “Disconnect: The Gap between Patient Experience and Provider Assumptions.” Patients described a dental safety net care network that was operating in ways that were deeply disconnected from the realities of their communities.

We can better meet the needs of patients by changing the public oral health system to address these barriers to care. Read the Impact Story to learn how we can all do this by using community-informed strategies.

Read the Blog

Governor Youngkin released his proposed 2023 Virginia state budget today, December 15. Join us on Monday, December 19, from 2-3 PM for a webinar to discuss the budget and next steps for the upcoming legislative session.

Food Insecurity is Linked to Water Insecurity

You may be familiar with food insecurity, but do you know about water insecurity? Most estimates put US water insecurity at 2.2 million residents, although researchers studying this topic estimate the number is closer to 60 million.

Food insecurity and water insecurity are inextricably linked. Health care professionals often ask patients questions about the threat of food insecurity, but there are no health screeners for drinking water insecurity. Asking questions like the ones below could uncover information about water insecurity.

Do you drink your tap water?
Is there enough of it?
Can you cook food with it or use it to mix infant formula?

As with hunger, there are myriad reasons why a person might be water insecure - financial, structural, or having to do with quality and access. Still, others are short-term predicaments brought on by disaster or a failure of local government. According to this article, people who don’t drink tap water are more likely to be food insecure than those who do. Click below to read more about water insecurity in America.

Learn More

Keep an eye out in early 2023 for Catalyst’s Water Equity Taskforce recommendations to address inequities in Virginia to improve equitable access to safe, affordable, and fluoridated drinking water that is trusted and preferred by all Virginians!

DMAS Access to Dental Care Report

Medicaid and Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS) beneficiaries experience significant barriers to accessing dental care, according to a recent report from the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). DMAS found that Virginia has one of the lowest percentages in the nation of dental providers who treat Medicaid members. In addition to low reimbursement rates, dentists also cite broken appointments as a major reason for not participating in Medicaid.

The report outlines proposed actions and policy changes to address barriers to care, such as strengthening non-emergency medical transportation services. Read Catalyst’s summary of the report for more information.

Read the Summary

Dental Assistants' Salary and Satisfaction

Dental assistants (DAs) are integral members of the oral health workforce, supporting dentists, dental hygienists, and lab technicians with clinical and administrative tasks. DAs receive training through 6-12 month training programs and certification through the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). In the 2022 Dental Assistants Salary and Satisfaction Survey, DANB shared the benefits of being a certified DA (CDA), including:

Increased wages ($19.96/hour for non-certified DAs and $24/hour for CDAs)
Higher job satisfaction (59% of non-certified DAs were satisfied or very satisfied with their job vs. 66% of CDAs)
Greater pride, self-improvement, and confidence

Learn more about DA duties, training, and Virginia-specific information here. Dental assistants can receive further training to become a dental assistant II; click here to read about a new DAII training program in Virginia.

2022 Summit Evaluation Results

You shared, and we listened!

Thank you to those who completed an evaluation form at the 2022 Summit. Catalyst staff analyzed the results, and we were pleased to hear how much you took away from the event! It also has us thinking about topics you want to learn about at the 2023 Summit.

See the Results